Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA VFR 1200 FD-A
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The VFR 1200 FD-A's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.2 points since 2013, 93.1% to 87.9%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VFR 1200 FD-A passes first time 94.1% of the time; by 50k that's 75.7%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a VFR 1200 FD-A
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
89 | 43.2 | 0.8× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
29 | 14.1 | 0.7× |
| suspension |
|
20 | 9.7 | 1.1× |
| tyres |
|
14 | 6.8 | 0.9× |
| steering and suspension |
|
14 | 6.8 | 0.2× |
| steering |
|
11 | 5.3 | 1.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
11 | 5.3 | 0.3× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
7 | 3.4 | 0.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
7 | 3.4 | 0.4× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 1.9 | 0.3× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the VFR 1200 FD-A beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the VFR 1200 FD-A.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2011 (90.9%). Lowest: 2010 (89.1%). Every VFR 1200 FD-A year compared →
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.
HONDA VFR 1200 FD-A FAQ
Is the HONDA VFR 1200 FD-A reliable?
The HONDA VFR 1200 FD-A is more reliable than average for its class: 90.1% of its 2,022 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #921 of 5428 models.
What does a VFR 1200 FD-A fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 43% of all defects recorded against failed VFR 1200 FD-A tests.
What is the best year of VFR 1200 FD-A to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (90.9%) and 2010 worst (89.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a VFR 1200 FD-A last?
The median VFR 1200 FD-A shows 14,757 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.7% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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